The world’s best cyclists will return to Richmondshire next year when Yorkshire hosts the 2019 UCI Road World Championships.
The full routes and race schedule have been officially unveiled in Innsbruck in Austria this evening.
The elite men will visit the district on the last day of the championships on September 29, 2019.
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The course takes the riders from Leeds to Harrogate, via the Yorkshire Dales.
The riders will cycle up Wharfedale and over Kidstones into Bishopdale, before heading up Wensleydale to Hawes and then over the Buttertubs.
The cyclists will then head down Swaledale to Reeth before travelling on to Leyburn and Middleham, before racing for the finish in Harrogate.
The district will also play a part in the men’s junior race, with start of the race for the world’s best under 18s taking place in Richmond and passing through Catterick Garrison, Leyburn, Aysgarth and Bishopdale before the finish in Harrogate.
The visit follows the success of the Tour de Yorkshire earlier this year and first stage of the Tour de France in 2014 which both passed through the district.
“These championships will bring the world’s top riders to our district along with a massive entourage of cycling enthusiasts – and we will be doing all we can to showcase our communities and businesses,” said leader of Richmondshire District Council, Councillor Yvonne Peacock.
“Richmond is one of the surprises in the announcement tonight – most of the other start towns have been known for some time, but we are a new addition and we are delighted and excited to be in the line up for this exciting championship.”
County Council Leader Cllr Carl Les said: “Hosting the championships will build on the reputation Yorkshire has as a great destination for cycling, beginning with the Tour de Yorkshire Grand Départ in 2014 and growing with its legacy, the annual Tour de Yorkshire.
“The spectators, who will come from around the world, and the global media coverage, including live broadcasts on BBC TV, will bring significant economic benefits.”
Where possible, rolling road closures will operate, though longer closures will be needed in parts of Harrogate at certain times and at other locations during time trial events.
The racing starts on Saturday, September 21 with para cycling events before the first UCI World Champions are crowned the following day with the maiden team time trial mixed relay.
This event will replace the separate men’s and women’s trade team time trials, and will be contested by national teams consisting of three male riders and three female riders
The male athletes will ride first and the women will replace them on the road as soon as the second male rider has crossed the finish line.
Final timings will be taken when the second female rider crosses the finish line, with the fastest team declared the winner.
The Yorkshire 2019 programme will continue through until Sunday , September 29 with individual time trials and road races for junior (under 18), under 23 and elite male and female riders.
Harrogate will serve as the destination town for every race, with start locations across the county to ensure the championships reach as many people as possible.
The full race programme is as follows:
Day 1: Saturday 21 September: Beverley-Tadcaster-Wetherby-Harrogate Circuit – Para-cycling Road Races (C1 Event)
Day 2: Sunday 22 September: Harrogate Circuit – Team Time Trial Mixed Relay – 28km (two circuits)
Day 3: Monday 23 September: Harrogate Circuit – Women Junior Individual Time Trial – 14km (one circuit) and Men Junior Individual Time Trial – 28km (two circuits)
Day 4: Tuesday 24 September: Ripon to Harrogate – Men Under 23 Individual Time Trial – 32.5km (route plus one circuit) and Women Elite Individual Time Trial – 32.5km (route plus one circuit)
Day 5: Wednesday 25 September: Northallerton to Harrogate – Men Elite Individual Time Trial – 54km (route only)
Day 6: Thursday 26 September: Richmond to Harrogate – Men Junior Road Race – 144.5km (route plus three circuits)
Day 7: Friday 27 September: Doncaster to Harrogate – Women Junior Road Race – 91.5km (route only) and Men Under 23 Road Race – 192.5km (route plus three circuits)
Day 8: Saturday 28 September: Bradford to Harrogate – Women Elite Road Race – 149.5km (route plus three circuits)
Day 9: Sunday 29 September: Leeds to Harrogate – Men Elite Road Race – 284.5km (route plus seven circuits)
The 2018 Championships are currently taking place in Innsbruck-Tirol and Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Sir Gary Verity DL led a packed presentation of the Yorkshire 2019 event on Wednesday evening.
He was joined on stage by UCI President David Lappartient, British Cycling CEO Julie Harrington, and Great Britain riders Alex Dowsett and Hayley Simmonds. Prime Minister Theresa May concluded the presentation via video message, lending the UK Government’s full support.
The championships are receiving financial backing with the UK Government and UK Sport committing £12 million.
A further £15 million has been allocated to develop entry-level cycling facilities across England.
Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Sir Gary Verity DL said: “This will be the most inclusive and diverse championships ever held and cement Yorkshire’s place as a world-class cycling destination.
“The countdown is now well and truly on and there will be many people in Yorkshire and across Britain who are looking forward to this iconic event. We can promise huge, passionate crowds, stunning scenery and epic racing.
“We have worked hard with the UCI to design a challenging and spectacular range of routes which take in all four corners of the county. We are thrilled to be able to share these routes and are sure they will make for exciting racing.”
UCI President David Lappartient said: “After the Tour de France Grand Départ in 2014 and the consequent creation of the legacy Tour de Yorkshire, this magnificent region has left us in no doubt that the 2019 UCI Road World Championships will be a memorable occasion.”
Full details of the routes announced today can be found on the Yorkshire 2019 website, www.Yorkshire2019.co.uk.
Exact timings of races and any associated road closures will be finalised next spring, six months before the event.
